USERDA division of electric energy systems, DC superconducting power transmission line project at LASL

The tenth progress report of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory dc Superconducting Power Transmission Line (SPTL) Development Project covers the period April 1 to June 30, 1975. A number of line configurations, including a high voltage dc SPTL design, are examined from a cryoengineering point of view. New calculations on the cryostabilization of the superconductors are presented. Measurements of the critical current on several new superconductors and on a 20-m, well-stabilized Nb3Sn tape are reported. Acoustical emission is being evaluated as a new technique to predetermine damage to Nb3Sn conductors during cable fabrication.